Canada

July 1st is Canada Day here in the second largest country around and this year Canada celebrates it’s 150th birthday. In Vancouver the city is calling it Canada 150+ to recognize both the country’s official day as Canada and that the First Nations people have been here for much longer than the rest of us. I’d like to wish everyone a great day! For me, I am always grateful that my parents choose this wonderful country to start their new life well before I was even a thought. All of us in Canada make up this country whether your ancestors have been here for centuries or if you’ve arrived here only recently. Let’s grow as a nation and as humans – to be an example of that to the world. Kindness matters. Celebrate diversity. Love to all.

Happy Canada Day from Wanders the World.

P.S. – Sunday Special will not be posted this weekend and will resume the following week.

My Canada Day swag, eh? (Photo taken and owned by Eeva Valiharju / Wanders the World

Today we will check out the city which I think is the coolest in all of Canada and that is Montreal. This fun city is the largest city in the province of Quebec and the second largest in Canada after Toronto. Not only that, this city is the second largest predominantly French-speaking city on the planet, just after Paris. Additionally it was recently ranked as the world’s best city to study abroad by Quacquarelli Symonds. Finally, Montreal is celebrating its 375th birthday this year. Which if you don’t know, makes it older than Canada (which turns 150 on July 1). Montreal wa founded on what was Hochelaga, a St Lawrence Iroquois village in the 15th century, though First Nations peoples inhabited the area for centuries longer. It was part of New France until the mid-18th century. Today Montreal is a vibrant and social landscape that has a bit of a European feel to it. It has been far too many years since I visited though I do recall enjoying the vibe of the city a great deal. Perhaps another visit is due.

Visit historic Old Montrealand take in various sites such as Bonsecours Market, the Old Port of Montreal, and the picturesque Notre-Dame Basilica. Or perhaps you’d like to wander its cobblestones streets via food tour?

Take in a pretty city view from Parc du Mont Royal (Mount Royal Park) or visit the Jardin Botanique de Montreal (Montreal Botanical Gardens) in Parc Maisonneuve?

Foodies rejoice – Montreal has some great restaurants and dining of all ranges, though do try the Montreal-style smoked meat, the bagels and of course poutine!

Sports fans take in all manner of games to watch:

Montreal Candiens NHL hockey

Montreal Allouettes CFL football

Montreal Impact MLS soccer

Auto racing

Boxing

Women’s hockey

Tennis

Music and comedy festivals abound

I don’t think my list has done this city justice though I hope it inspires you check out Montreal at any time of year.

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This year my country of Canada turns 150 years old (officially on July 1, 2017). To honour that I will be writing about a few spots in my beloved country over the months. Today will be about one of Canada’s well-known landmarks: The CN Tower. Many cities have an iconic landmark gracing its skyline. Canada’s largest city is no different. Standing at 553 m/1815 ft in downtown Toronto this telecommunications tower has been synonymous with city since its completion in 1975. For 34 years the tower was the world’s tallest free-standing structure. As us humans have continued to build higher into the sky that title has been lost yet the appeal of it’s magnificent view remains today. It’s use of a major broadcaster for wireless, television and radio continues. Architecturally it was acclaimed as one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World in 1995 by the American Society of Civil Engineers. And of course, it is a major tourist attraction with plenty of ways visitors can experience it.

The first and obvious way to see the tower is to be whisked up to the observation deck in the high-speed glass paneled elevators. Three of the six elevators even have glass inserts in the floors. How’s that for seeing where you have been? The LookOut offers viewers a panoramic scene over Lake Ontario and the city-scape of Toronto. When visibility is clear one can peer for what seems like forever. If the view isn’t enough then try out the first-ever glass floor. Added in 1994 it allows you to look straight to the ground from 342m/1122ft above. Do you think you can walk across this section without feeling nervous? (Don’t worry, it’s safe – I can attest to that). If you prefer you can enjoy a meal in one of the two restaurants floating above the city. Horizons is located at the LookOut level with a casual ambiance. For a complete view of the city try 360 Restaurant. As its name implies, this revolving restaurant offers a feast for you eyes and your taste buds. It also has bragging rights of having the world’s highest wine cellar. I’ll drink to that!

Still not wowed? How about an even higher view at 447m/1465ft above? Or a crazy walk outside of the tower? The Skypod is even higher than the LookOut at 447m/1465 ft. Up here you may be lucky to see all Niagara Falls (both sides). For the thrill seekers there is the EdgeWalk. Yes, as it sounds you get to walk around the CN Tower outside and up above on it’s roof! Do note that is seasonal feature. And yes, this is on my bucket list (unless I chicken out).

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This weekend I took an overnight trip to the capital of my province of BC: Victoria. It has been a number of years since I had been there and as a result I have forgotten what a nice little city it is to visit. Located on the southern portion of Vancouver Island, my travel companion and myself arrived via the short ferry ride with BC Ferries and then hopped a public bus for the hour long ride into town (I don’t own a car).

The main purpose of this short sojourn was to visit a temporary exhibit at The Royal BC Museum, located on Belleville Street, right in the heart of the city. The exhibit that I was interested in was about mammoths! Yes those big, oversized creatures that once roamed the earth. It was a great exhibit with plenty of information. The displays included fossilized bones, reconstructions of these glorious giants and numerous videos and information placards (of which I watched and read all). What I found the most interesting was a section dedicated to Lyuba. Lyuba was a month-old baby Woolly Mammoth that was incredibly preserved and fully intact when she was discovered in 2007 in northern Russia. She had been frozen in the tundra for tens of thousands of years! The discovery of Lyuba was integral in learning more of these amazing creatures and their similarities with elephants.

Below are some of my photos from the exhibit. The quality is limited due to low lighting and no flash use but you’ll get the idea. Additionally, if you are ever in Victoria I do suggest a visit to the Royal BC Museum. They have permanent collections (of which I will go another time to visit) and temporary exhibits for months at a time.